The best fans.

It’s a given that cycling in it’s many forms is “the best sport”. That’s not really up for debate, but I think there might also be a case for the sport of professional cycling also having the best fans. Talking the Tour de France as my example, I’ll attempt to demonstrate.

The Basque Fans

They situate themselves high on the climbs of the Pyrenees, and they seem to tread the thin line between going absolutely bezerk at every cyclist, and not quite knocking them off their bikes. You can’t imagine them getting any more excited, until you see how they react when an Euskatel rider is storming up the mountain in front.

The Borats

I’m not even convinced these guys are cycling fans, but they’ve been sporting their mankinis by the side of the road for a few Tours now and I think those ‘taches are actually real so they deserve a mention.

This woman on a horse

I love it when you get someone on a horse riding full pelt alongside the peleton. I makes a great shot from the helicopter too. And it appears to amuse the riders. You never see this kind of thing in football, or Formula 1.

These sumo guys

Not content to just run alongside the Shlecks, these guys even manage it with inflated sumo suits acting as a sail. I wonder weather the guy drafting him took a turn up front.

Lampre fan

His cycling shorts go down over his knees. He’s wearing socks with sandals. His jersey doesn’t cover his belly. He has camel toe. (Or is that moose knuckle). He is awesome to behold.

Lance’s biggest fan

Hard to miss this guy, his flag is larger than most bed sheets, and when you watch him run alongside the peleton, it’s hard not to wonder which poor rider is going to lose an eye.

The Tour Devil

The most iconic and long-serving Tour de France fan, Dieter “Didi” Senft is visible on every stage if you keep your eyes peeled. He jumps so high! What a ‘ledge.